The Producers: Rumours say the showmay close in Jun, will Broderick and Lane return for final fling!

It is reported in the New York Post that Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane, The Producers original Leo and Max, have been asked to reprise their roles one last time before the show ends its seven-year run in June.

Boderick and Lane have not yet accepted the offer but it is hoped that they will return for the musical's final six weeks, and so close the show on a high on 24 Jun 2007.

The paper reports that the show is being closed to make way for Mel Brook's next musical comedy Young Frankenstein, which according to the paper will play at the St James Theatre from Oct 2007.

The musical has been weakening at the Box office and for many weeks The Producers has only been drawing 50 - 60% house capacity.

The return of Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick to the roles of Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom is almost sure to make The Producers one of the hottest tickets in town.

A production source for The Producers said to the New York Post: "It all makes perfect sense. It's easy money, they'll have fun, they'll get a lot of attention, and the show will go out on a real high."

If the duo agree it will be their second return to the show. They first played the roles from 21 Mar 2001 to 17 Mar 2002 and again from 30 Dec 2003 to 4 Apr 2004. If they return, and it is belived they will, they could earn as much as $175,000 a week.

The musical currently stars Tony Danza (Max Bialystock), Hunter Foster (Leo Bloom), Lee Roy Reams (Roger DeBris), Brad Musgrove (Carmen Ghia), Bill Nolte (Franz Liebkind) and Angie Schworer (Ulla).

The Producers is the story of down-on-his-luck theatrical producer, Max Bialystock, and Leo Bloom, a mousy accountant. Together they hatch the ultimate scam: raise more money than you need for a sure-fire Broadway flop and pocket the difference. Their "sure-fire" theatrical fiasco?. . . None other than the musical Springtime for Hitler.

The Producers opened at St James Theatre on 19 Apr 2001, following previews from 21 Mar 2001. It is currently booking to 6 May 2007.

The musical opened to excellent reviews, The New York Times wrote "It's fast, fierce, shameless, vulgar and altogether blissful," and the Star-Ledger said "It will split your ribs with mirth." newyorktheatreguide.com reviewer Alan Bird wrote "To quote words from 'Spring Time for Hitler', the audience is sure to leave the theatre feeling �Happy and Gay�."

To read all of Alan Bird's review and what the other critics said click here

The Producers is the recipient of the most Tony Awards in theater history (with 12 wins).

The Producers has a book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, music and lyrics by Mel Brooks and direction and choreography by Susan Stroman. The set design is by Robin Wagner, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting by Peter Kaczorowski and sound design by Steve Kennedy.

The musical is produced by Rocco Landesman, Live Nation, 'The Frankel, Baruch, Viertel and Routh Group', Bob and Harvey Weinstein, Rick Steiner, Robert F.X. Sillerman and Mel Brooks, in association with James D. Stern and Douglas Meyer and by special arrangement with StudioCanal.

(For more information click here)

Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick